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NCD team is finalizing organization of a Neighborhood Caring Program with plans
to launch this ministry at Gloria Dei in September. Joy Leimer and Marilyn
Wasser have agreed to oversee and coordinate this Program for the first year.
We are in the process of securing Unit Leaders for each of the ten Caring Units
that have been formed. The Unit Leaders coordinate the "caring response" of
their Caring Unit. Each member family of Gloria Dei has been assigned to a
Caring Unit according to their area zip code. Lists of each Caring Unit,
together with their Unit Leaders, will be posted in the near future once the
units and leaders are finalized.
What
is the Neighborhood Caring Program?
As
the NCD team explored and studied the characteristic of "Loving Relationships,"
caring for one another was a prevalent theme. We studied relevant scripture,
including Jesus' command to "love one another." This program idea was brought
to the NCD team from another area church and the NCD team studied it for a
period of time before deciding that it would be a good ministry for Gloria Dei.
Participation in a Caring Unit is a tangible way to demonstrate loving and
caring action for one another. It reminds us and shows others that we are a
caring, connected faith community. The NCD team hopes that you will embrace the
Neighborhood Caring Program as it will only be successful and meaningful if the
congregation participates.
How
does the Neighborhood Caring Program Work?
There
are occasions and events in our lives when a caring response is welcomed. The
event or occasion may be a death in the family, a serious illness or medical
condition, lengthy medical treatments, hospitalization, or loss of a job. The
event may be a joyous occasion such as the birth of a child, marriage, milestone
birthdays and wedding anniversaries, or welcoming new members. The Neighborhood
Caring Program uses neighborhood "Caring Units" to respond to another member
family in the Caring Unit that has experienced one of these events.
It
works like this . . . When a member family has a need or an event occurs, the
church office should be notified of the need or event. After the church
office is notified and informed of the situation, the church office will inquire
whether the member family is receptive to their Caring Unit providing a meal or
other assistance. If so, the church office will then contact the Unit Leader
for that Caring Unit and advise them of the member family's need. The Unit
Leader will coordinate the Caring Unit's response by making arrangements with
the receiving member family to provide a meal or other response or assistance.
The Unit Leader will then contact other member families in the Caring Unit and
ask them to help with preparing and providing a meal (or other assistance) to
the receiving member family. The Caring Unit member families that are contacted
and agree to help, will provide the meal or assistance at the pre-arranged
time. It is as simple as that. The Caring Unit members share the
responsibility of responding to another member family in the Caring Unit that is
in need. The Caring Unit Leader coordinates the action or response by the
Caring Unit. We hope that you will be receptive to participating in the Caring
Unit's response when contacted by your Unit Leader.
It is important to note
that a Caring Unit will not respond or act unless the church office
notifies the Caring Unit Leader of an event or need of a member family. The
success of this program is wholly dependent upon members of the congregation
communicating with the church office when there is an event or need that calls
for a response by a Caring Unit. You will hear more about the Neighborhood
Caring Program next month. If you have any questions, please contact Program
Coordinators Joy Leimer or Marilyn Wasser, or NCD chair, Jana Abbott.
Gloria
Dei Lutheran Church
